Background

Washington State Gov. Gregoire and Bill Dewey of Taylor Shellfish Company discuss harvesting techniques for oysters in Samish Bay as part of the Blue Ribbon Panel work. Photo Credit: Puget Sound Partnership.

The Pacific Coast Collaborative, representing the U.S. states of California, Oregon, Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia, was formed in 2008 when the leaders of the participating states and province agreed to work together on energy, climate, ocean health and other issues, as a region. They have been addressing the causes and effects of ocean acidification since 2010. With large-scale oyster hatchery losses in 2007 and 2008, the West Coast has experienced some of the earliest and clearest impacts of increased acidification in West Coast marine waters.

In 2011, Washington state convened the Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification charged with comprehensively describing the current science of ocean acidification and outlining 42 recommendations for action to mitigate the causes of ocean acidification and to adapt to unavoidable change. In 2017, the Blue Ribbon Panel updated their original 2012 report with an addendum which demonstrates progress made, adds new focus areas and a renews original commitments to tackle the issue through a number of research, education and climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. Early efforts by PCC jurisdictions brought together leading scientists, policy makers, Tribes and First Nations and other government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to address ocean acidification.

To advance these efforts and address ocean acidification on a global scale, the jurisdictions have formed the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification.

Members of the Alliance are committed to working collaboratively to bring awareness to the issue of ocean acidification and to taking individual actions that address the environmental and economic threat posed by ocean acidification within their region by creating their own unique OA Action Plan.

“Our oceans sustain jobs, support coastal economies and feed billions of people. At the heart of protecting our oceans is the imperative to significantly reduce the world’s emissions of carbon dioxide. We must lead together to secure the health of the oceans, and our economies and communities that depend on this vital resource.”

Jay Inslee

Governor, Washington State, USA

We invite you to learn more.

Join us in protecting our ocean and the people who depend on healthy marine ecosystems.